Tibial Avulsion Fracture
Meet Adam Revet, who shared his experience with a tibial avulsion fracture, from the injury and medical treatment to recovery. He also talks about his journey with Dr. Myhre and the rehabilitation process, offering insights and inspiration for anyone facing a similar challenge.
This post will help you understand
- What is an Avulsion Fracture?
Most Frequent Avulsion Fractures
Symptoms Avulsion Fracture
How to Lower Your Risk of an Avulsion Fracture
What is an Avulsion Fracture?
An avulsion fracture happens when a small piece of bone attached to a tendon or ligament is pulled away from the main bone.
Tendons connect muscles to bones, and ligaments hold bones and joints in place. When you move suddenly like changing direction fast, the bone and tendon pull in opposite directions, causing the fracture.
Most Frequent Avulsion Fractures
- Elbow bones.
- Ankle and foot bones.
- Knee bones.
- Finger and wrist bones.
- Pelvis and hip bones.
- Spine bones.
Remember, the only way to diagnose an avulsion fracture is through a healthcare provider using an X-ray or CT scan.
Symptoms Avulsion Fractures
- Bruising
- Swelling.
- Muscle pain.
- A popping or cracking sound.
- Pain that spreads to nearby parts of your body.
- Limping or an inability to walk, if the broken bone is in or near your leg.
- Difficulty moving your limb.
How to Lower your Risk of an Avulsion Fracture
While it’s not always possible to prevent an avulsion fracture completely, you can take steps to reduce the risk. Athletes can protect themselves by:
- Spending 5–10 minutes stretching and warming up before practice or games.
- Avoiding movements or activities that are too advanced or risky for their current level. Being cautious can help prevent many types of injuries.
KEY FACTS
- An avulsion fracture can worsen if the patient doesn’t follow the healthcare provider’s recommendations.
- Not all avulsion fractures require surgery. Most of these injuries can be treated with a cast or splint for a few weeks. If the fracture is in the pelvis or another area where a cast cannot be applied, a short period of rest followed using crutches can be helpful.
- It’s possible to experience another avulsion fracture in the same area. Taking preventive measures can help lower this risk.
- Recovery usually takes around 12 weeks.
